By Wednesday the disqualification of local Choi Min-jeong, who had finished second, triggered a wave of verbal attacks targeting the Canadian, seen as benefiting from what Koreans thought was an unfair decision of interfering.

One angry fan wrote: “If I find you, you will die.”

Another online user said: “Congratulations on the dirty medal. Did you’re (sic) papa teach you to cheat for the medal.”

Short-track speed skating is the host nation’s favourite winter sport, with Koreans having won more medals there than in all other winter sports combined.

IOC spokesman Mark Adams said on Wednesday: “None of us can control social media and the public has the right to say what they want but we would ask anyone to respect the athletes and support their work.

“We occasionally have these issues and it is something we don’t approve of. Let’s stick to supporting the athletes and some great performances.”

“We will not make further comment on this issue, so that Kim can focus on her upcoming events.

This is not the first time South Koreans have vented their anger at a foreign speed skater, with Britain’s Elise Christie receiving a similar treatment at the Sochi 2014 Games after she collided with a South Korean skater.

U.S. Olympic champion Apolo Ohno also felt South Korean wrath in Salt Lake City in 2002 after protesting against what he said was blocking by a South Korean skater who was then disqualified.

The American quickly became the most reviled man in the country, earning the nickname “king of fouls.”

Don’t miss a moment of the Winter Games on Eurosport and Eurosport Player. Go to www.eurosport.co.uk